Mathura: An Art and Archaeological Study

This book presents a comprehensive account of art and archaeology of Braj region which covers a wide area in and around Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh in India. The area of Mathura is world famous for its art heritage but till recently no comprehensive archaeological record is available for this region. It is for the first time that this book is bringing out the data of this region which includes about a thousand explored sites and hundreds of terracottas and sculptures discovered from various sites and villages. An analysis of settlement pattern and the probable ancient routes has been done which provides several very interesting facts. Some of the Saiva, Vaisnava, Sakta and other Brahmanical sculptures including Surya, Ganesa, Skanda, Yaksas are too important to be overlooked and provide some new vistas in iconographical research. In the area of Buddhism and Jainism also, the book provides very important data, including identification of ancient sites and a broader picture of these religions in the area concerned along with new sculptural finds belonging to these sects. The book, supported with notes, references and bibliography are well illustrated and tries to overcome many shortcomings related with information of art and archaeology of the Braj region.